We are at Jazz in The Garden--again. I love to people watch and tonite I am picnic watching.People are so creative-not only in their food but also in their use of vintage baskets and carriers. I see everything from McDonalds in a bag to full course dinners in 1940 era hampers. As for us---Mancino grinders with a dish of berries and a glass of wine.

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We have decided our Basset Hound is too spoiled and have decided to show him who is boss. Someone suggested we cover our chairs with newspaper as a deterent to him jumping on the furniture.Apparently dogs don't like the crinkly feeling. It seems to be working real well,doesn't it.

Artist in iron dies - The Post and Courier

Artist in iron dies - The Post and Courier

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Back to Charleston(I wish). Shortly before our visit, Charleston mourned the passing of one of it's most revered native sons. Phillip Simmons, the 97 year old artist/blacksmith died. His art graces courtyards throughout the city and adorns the airport, federal buildings, is on display in the Smithsonian and at major cities throughout the world including Paris. Before his death, at least 500 pieces of his artwork had been cataloged throughout Charleston and a lot of those were ribboned in white to give tribute to it's creator. You can read more about Phillip Simmons at the link above. If you want your prayers answered, you have to get off your knees and hustle---Phillip Simmons (1912-2009)

These are the "fruits" of my Saturday labor. Pickles are in and I found a new recipe I wanted to try. The funny thing is, while at the Farmers Market, I was talking to the farmer and he said "if you want crispy pickles, wash them on gentle cycle in cold water in your washing machine" and several other customers agreed. Sooooo---that is what we did. I had to try it and they came out really scrubby clean. Soaked them for 2 hours in icy cold water and then put them into jars----18 jars of them! Next week-----green beans.

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The weather is beautiful and what better way to spend the day than at UT Art on the Mall

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Tonite is the perfect antidote to my bad day in the park. Dan and I are sitting in the gorgeous gardens of Toledo Botanical Gardens, eating a picnic supper and listening to the swing sounds of Hepcat Revival. It rained all day but the sun is out and the skies are blue!

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It seems to me that people are driving crazier lately. Yesterday on my way to the park on my bike, 2 cars seemed to be completely unaware of me and almost ran me down and on my way home, an SUV with a cell phone in her ear passed a delivery vehicle in a no passing zone and came at me in the other lane. But what happened in the park really put the icing on the cake. While on the bicycle trail, I felt something hit me and brushed it away. My hand came away with something wet and BROWN and smelly on it and I looked down and my shirt was splattered with s**t. SOMETHING WAS UP IN THE TREE AND S**T on me. I am not talking bird poop either. I am thinking raccoon, possum or whatever. But it sure looked lovely on my white tank top.

I am playing with my camera and saw these 2 little chicks staring at me. They are actually Easter decorations that are too cute to take down. They are sitting in a bed of dried lavender that my brother grew in his garden. How can you resist those beady little eyes!!

Dinner Is Ready

See the post before this-but -I have to share what the chef cooked. He calls the garnish Pepper Boats.

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I love a man who can cook. Especially one who serves me a beer and tells me to take it easy! The truth is I have had a nasty summer respiratory flu and am finally getting back on my feet-and nurse Dan has been wonderful!

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I promise---this will be our last vacation picture for now. We flew over this land mass and knew we were almost home. Any idea what it is---here are a few clues.

1. We take our bikes here every summer

2. It was a significant battle site in the War of 1812

3. If you are an alumna of the Oregon School System, you probably went here on a 6th grade field trip

Still don't know----how about this

4. Site of Frosties and the Roundhouse Bar

Yup-----South Bass Island--home of Put in Bay and surrounding islands.

I am under the weather and using this time on the couch as an opportunity to learn how to blog with my Blackberry. I am posting a pic of my ever present doctor who is faithfully taking good care of me.

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I haven't really returned to my old routine since vacation. That is good or bad, depending on how you look at it. I don't run around like a maniac after work trying to get a lot of things done is good BUT not getting things done like laundry or grocery shopping is not so good. Since you didn't come here to see pics of my feet up while I am reading, here is some more Charleston.

We took a tour to an old plantation called Magnolia that was on the outskirts of town. Our fellow passengers on the bus were an interesting group and included a French woman, born in North Africa and living in Geneva, and--------a man who was born in Oregon Ohio at St Charles Hospital and moved to Memphis when he was 5!! Can you believe that. The plantation and gardens were beautiful and is now owned by the 13th generation of the original owner, who still lives on the grounds. We saw 8 alligators, 1 dead cottonmouth snake,the family tomb with Civil War(or the War of Northern Aggression for you Southerners) damage, the slave cabins and had sweet tea on the veranda(unsweetend for us northerners). The tree in the top picture holds the burial urn of a family member who didn't want to be buried in the family crypt.

Disclaimer:this is not for the timid. While in Charleston, we took a ghost tour of the old(as in really old-----revolutionary prisoners were housed there) jail, one night at 10pm. We were told that there was a lot of ghost activity due to the nature of the building and that the "orbs" sometimes showed up on film, so take lots of pictures. Our guide carried a flashlight and as she spoke, she would indicate when she felt a ghostly presence by uttering "cold spot". Dan was skeptical but I looked at a picture a young girl took, and there were these glowing orbs on it that couldn't be seen by the naked eye. Do you see the "orbs" in my picture------don't get too excited because they are car reflectors.

I am still in Charleston Mode and have to tell you about the Pink House. We were on a tour and the guide pointed out this pink house,c0mmenting that it was the oldest structure in Charleston, dating back to the 17th century and used to be a Tavern and----brothel. And in fact, served drinks to Pirates such as Blackbeard and Bonnet. Dan got it into his head that he had to have a drink there, so we walked over and saw---it was an art gallery now.(Why he thought it would still be a Tavern after 300 yrs, who knows). I felt a little intimidated until I saw a sign on the door that said "feel free to come on it" and so we did!! We met 2 charming Southern gals and discussed everything from southern living to mint juleps. We wandered on up to the 3rd floor(where the brothel used to be) and fell in love with the building, and the everthing inside. So if you are ever in Charleston, be sure to wander into the Pink House Gallery and I promise, you will fall in love as we did!

Ahh Charleston! I will miss your sultry, charming beauty and your friendly southern hospitality. When I think of Charleston, these memories will forever be in my mind

1. The Gorgeous architectural detail of your Charleston Single Houses. And we are talking AUTHENTIC--not reproduction details. You've seen the these in movies and pictures---double story porches to collect the cooling breezes.

2. The Crape Myrtle----in full bloom while we were there

3. The shade gardens that we saw as we peeked through the wrought iron gates into private gardens-----I know, I know but since nobody in Charleston knew us, we didn't care who saw us peeking.

4. The checkerboard sidewalks that we saw every now and then. I put up a pic and wanted to also show my favorite sandals which saved my vacation after I had blisters the first day from my "walking shoes". These Keen sandals have been many places with me and are virtually indestructable with no friction on my heel!

5. The Food!! Oh Yes indeedy! Our favorite was Jestines Kitchen but it was hard to call anything a favorite with so much good cooking going on.

6. THE PEOPLE. That friendly southern hospitality-always welcoming.

Soooo-if you go to Charleston, the best advice I can give is to----take me with you!

And no, we DID NOT take Magglio with us. But, he has a new Southern name. After getting a text message from Matt while we were away informing us that our dog took over his bed and growled at Matt when he tried to go to bed(and Matt ended up sleeping on floor) we now refer to Magglio as "the Dog of Northern Aggression"

How's your holiday going? Are you getting your share of fireworks, food, family and friends. Dan and I started the day by going to Church. Our church always has a special mass for this holiday and this is the first time we attended. It was nice to give thanks for our freedoms and blessings in this great country of ours---but EVERY time I hear America the Beautiful---I am crying by the time we come to "amber waves of grain". And then when they sing all the verses, I am a goner when we come to "O beautiful for Heroes proved, in liberating strife"

We are leaving in the morning for vacation. Dan and I are flying to Charleston, SC and then driving to Savannah to explore those 2 beautiful cities. We have never been to either city and are looking forward to it. I am going to try and post from my Blackberry.

Such a pretty evening-so off went to the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Terrace(or Paris Style terrace?) to listen to Hepcat Revival's swing sounds-----and enjoy a glass of wine!

Early(as in 5:15am) this morning I came downstairs and saw a coyote by the pond. I turned on the outdoor lights and we kind of had a stare down then he went on his way. I have seen glimpses of them in the past or heard them howling in the fall,but this was pretty spectacular. And then this evening, Dan and I were driving past my Mom's farm and saw a coyote in the field. I jumped out of the car and just watched him stroll across the field. Pretty incredible---2 coyote sightings in one day. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but this pic(see credits below) is what he looked like.

Lamb, A. & Johnson, L. (2004). ImageName. Naturescapes Starters.

Life is so fragile. My oldest, first friend was killed last nite by a drunk driver in Georgia. He left the house for a 2 hour bicycle ride and never returned home. From what is being pieced together, a drunk driver hit him from behind, panicked and fled the scene and then lost control of his truck and flipped it over. Later that nite, his wife reported him missing and they found him dead. He was a vibrant, wonderful human being and because of some drunk, his family and friends are now mourning his loss. Totally senseless. I first met him when I was 5 and our families had stayed in contact all these years. When my Mom died last Sept, he came from Georgia with his Mom to be with us.This picture was taken in the 70's when he came up to Ohio to visit.